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<p>Stylotermitidae, a cryptic family of wood-dwelling termites (Blattodea), contributes significantly to deadwood decomposition in tropical and subtropical forests. Despite their ecological importance, their distribution in South Asia remains poorly documented. This study reports the first record of the family Stylotermitidae in Pakistan, detailing the local distribution, habitat preferences, and molecular characterization of <i>Stylotermes sp.</i> within the Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Specimens were collected exclusively from active galleries in live tree trunks, with field documentation of gallery architecture, host tree species, and precise GPS coordinates. Phylogenetic analysis using Maximum Likelihood (with 1,000 bootstrap replicates) confirmed the identity of <i>Stylotermes</i>. <i>Stylotermes</i> exhibited a highly restricted distribution, occupying only <i>Alnus nitida</i> and <i>Aesculus indica</i> (<i>A. indica</i>) trunks within subtropical forest fragments at elevations of 1,200–1,500&#xa0;m. We provide the first <i>COII</i> barcode sequences for <i>Stylotermes</i> in Pakistan and propose future surveys to assess its conservation status. These findings establish a critical baseline for understanding stylotermitid biogeography in South Asia and underscore the need for habitat-specific conservation strategies.</p>

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First record of Stylotermitidae (Insecta: Blattodea) from Pakistan: distribution, habitat preference, and molecular characterization

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月24日

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  • H. U Rahman,
  • T. Mahmood,
  • S. Attaullah,
  • I. Ullah,
  • A. U Rehman

摘要

Stylotermitidae, a cryptic family of wood-dwelling termites (Blattodea), contributes significantly to deadwood decomposition in tropical and subtropical forests. Despite their ecological importance, their distribution in South Asia remains poorly documented. This study reports the first record of the family Stylotermitidae in Pakistan, detailing the local distribution, habitat preferences, and molecular characterization of Stylotermes sp. within the Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Specimens were collected exclusively from active galleries in live tree trunks, with field documentation of gallery architecture, host tree species, and precise GPS coordinates. Phylogenetic analysis using Maximum Likelihood (with 1,000 bootstrap replicates) confirmed the identity of Stylotermes. Stylotermes exhibited a highly restricted distribution, occupying only Alnus nitida and Aesculus indica (A. indica) trunks within subtropical forest fragments at elevations of 1,200–1,500 m. We provide the first COII barcode sequences for Stylotermes in Pakistan and propose future surveys to assess its conservation status. These findings establish a critical baseline for understanding stylotermitid biogeography in South Asia and underscore the need for habitat-specific conservation strategies.